Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomites

Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.571m (5,154ft) above sea level, located in Trentino, Italy. The road is brutally steep.

Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo

Where is Malga Palazzo?

The pass is located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, in the northern part of the country.

How long is Malga Palazzo?

The road, also known as Salita Scanuppia, follows a road built in the XVI century. Starting at Besenello, the ascent is about 8 km (4.97 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1,317 meters, and the average percentage is 18.1%.

Why is Malga Palazzo famous?

Tucked away in the Riserva regionale Scanuppia, it’s said to be the steepest and hardest long climb on a sealed-surface road in Europe (or the world), hitting a 42.8% maximum gradient through some of the ramps.

Is Malga Palazzo paved?

Set high in the Dolomite mountain range, the road is paved (with concrete parts). What makes it even more difficult is that much of the concrete surface is not "even." Not that it's "rough" (though in a few spots it is that) - but that it's "wavy," like with very wide "ripples" in its surface. This unevenness is intended to provide better traction when there is snow or ice.